Celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelsson Redefines Taste in the "MasterCraft Series," an Original Web Series from Pure Leaf Tea House Collection

PURCHASE, N.Y., July 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelsson has partnered with Pure Leaf Tea House Collection to create a new, original web series launching today on PureLeaf.com. Inspired by the expertise, craftsmanship and elevated taste experiences of Pure Leaf Tea House Collection, the "MasterCraft Series" follows Chef Samuelsson on his journey to forever change the way the world defines taste through his collaboration with four New York City craftsmen.

"Pure Leaf Tea House Collection and I share a passion for craftsmanship. As a chef, when it comes to crafting the perfect dish or drink, I think about taste in four elements: texture, temperature, fragrance and aesthetic," said Marcus Samuelsson, co-owner of Red Rooster Harlem and Streetbird Rotisserie. "In the 'MasterCraft Series,' we go on an exploration through collaboration to create the ultimate dining experience that will change the way we think about taste forever."

In the five-episode series, Chef Samuelsson explores each element of taste with the help of four talented New York City craftsmen, chosen for their expertise in connection to one of the elements. In the Fragrance, Aesthetic, Temperature and Texture episodes, Chef Samuelsson meets with each craftsman to discover how the element influences his craft, their craft, and ultimately the dining experience they create together. The featured craftsmen include:

• Chandler Burr, Scent Expert and Author – Fragrance craftsman, known for his compelling scent dinners wherein he works with master chefs worldwide to create experiences that translate the relationship between scent and taste.
• Kamil Nawratil, Visual Artist – Aesthetic craftsman, founder of Brooklyn-based VolvoxLabs, a cutting-edge media and visual design studio that creates digital sculptures and immersive audio-visual installations.
• Shintaro Okamoto, Ice Sculptor – Temperature craftsman, founder of Queens-based OKAMOTO STUDIO, whose creativity and talent transform crystal ice into frozen masterpieces.
• Charlie Baker, Designer and Builder – Texture craftsman, founder of Queens-based Baker Structures and a sought-after maker known for his unique, textural designs that incorporate elements from the earth.

Taking inspiration from both the element and the unique flavor combinations found in Pure Leaf Tea House Collection, Chef Samuelsson and the craftsmen go their separate ways to bring each element to life through an immersive dining experience. Paired with Chef Samuelsson's recipes, viewers see expertise and craftsmanship at work as they watch it all unfold—from Burr's engaging scent journey to Nawratil's responsive aesthetic experience, Okamoto's interactive ice installation and Baker's immersive textural designs.

The series culminates with the Taste episode, in which viewers see these stunning outcomes of the collaboration and how each element comes together to create the ultimate taste experience, prepared and presented by Chef Samuelsson.

"Pure Leaf Tea House Collection's dedication to craftsmanship, with its expertly crafted blends and unexpected flavor combinations, is what creates the elevated taste experience in each bottle of the organic iced tea," said Jayanthi Raja Segaran, Director of Marketing for Pure Leaf at PepsiCo. "This is the inspiration behind the 'MasterCraft Series,' to show how expertise and craftsmanship create unexpected outcomes and elevated taste experiences."

The "MasterCraft Series" was created and produced by Creators League, PepsiCo's in-house content creation studio, in partnership with INE Entertainment and Olson Engage. Visit PureLeaf.com to watch the full series, learn more about each craftsman and get Chef Samuelsson's recipes.

About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated approximately $63 billion in net revenue in 2016, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose—our fundamental belief that the success of our company is inextricably linked to the sustainability of the world around us. We believe that continuously improving the products we sell, operating responsibly to protect our planet and empowering people around the world is what enables PepsiCo to run a successful global company that creates long-term value for society and our shareholders. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com

About Pepsi Lipton Tea Partnership
The Pepsi Lipton Tea partnership is a joint venture between PepsiCo and Unilever. The partnership includes a complete portfolio of ready-to-drink iced teas for every occasion, including Lipton Iced Tea, Pure Leaf Iced Tea and Brisk Iced Tea.

SOURCE Pure Leaf

Related Links

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